When was Ricoh Rikenon 70-210 macro-zoom made?

Stefan Carey · 04-25-2009, 03:54 AM

I was given this lens for nothing, and with a few extension tubes mounted on the Pentax K-m, it produces good results. (Could have been a little sharper but I was propping it up on a tin of olive oil.)

Rikenon P Zoom 1:3.9 70~210mm Macro

Does anyone know anything about this lens, the internet is strangely silent on this one, perhaps it is simply unremarkable.

Thanks!

(must go to bed: getting late here)

PS I have just started an account at Zenfolio: this is the most user-friendly photo site I have seen yet. Part of my job is to critique and design simple interfaces - and it passes muster.

Last edited by Stefan Carey; 04-25-2009 at 04:21 AM.

FotoPete · 04-25-2009, 07:07 AM

There's such an uncanny resemblance between the Ricoh 70-210/3.9 and the SMC Pentax-A 70-210/4 down to the font that I'm willing to bet they are one in the same optically. (minus the SMC coats).

When the Pentax "A" system came out, Pentax either forced Ricoh to design their own auto aperture system or Ricoh chose to do it and made the "P" or Program variant of cameras and lenses.

Nevertheless you have yourself a solid lens there. DNA from one of Pentax's legacy zoom greats!

Stefan Carey · 04-25-2009, 04:26 PM

Fascinating and thanks.

Will do some more research to see if I can find out more.

cheers

ovim · 04-25-2009, 09:28 PM

Could you post a picture of the lens?

Stefan Carey · 04-26-2009, 03:14 AM

Hi there Ovim; Please let me know if you need more. Thanks for your interest.

Looks like I have some dusting to do

Lens has a small hood that extends out.

stevebrot · 04-26-2009, 09:11 AM

Out of curiosity, how did you solve the "Ricoh Pin" issue? I thought it good to mention the hazard (permanent attachment to Pentax AF cameras) for the benefit of any noobs reading this thread.

Steve

BTW...Your lens probably dates from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s...

Stefan Carey · 04-26-2009, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Out of curiosity, how did you solve the "Ricoh Pin" issue? I thought it good to mention the hazard (permanent attachment to Pentax AF cameras) for the benefit of any noobs reading this thread.

Steve

BTW...Your lens probably dates from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s...

Good suggestion Steve

The previous owner must have solved this perhaps. I was really worried about offending the guy because I learnt about the pin after he offered the lens.

I had seen photos of a Pentax DSLR somewhere with a hacksaw being used to get the lens off. Scary stuff

clm · 04-26-2009, 05:42 PM

"Ricoh-pin" is a non-issue with genuine Ricoh lenses and quality third party lenses I have used.

stevebrot · 04-26-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by clm

"Ricoh-pin" is a non-issue with genuine Ricoh lenses and quality third party lenses I have used.

I would like to qualify this last comment a bit. The "pin" implementation varies somewhat between lenses and manufacturers. On some it is a real, honest-to-goodness spring-loaded pin that protrudes a significant distance when extended and which will jam itself into the AF drive slot when an attempt is made to mount. On others, it is a small, spring-loaded ball that has less of a tendency to jam. I can't comment about all Rikenon-P lenses, but the ones I have personally handled have had the pin-type fitting.

In any case, I would suggest extreme caution and care if anyone wants to mount a Ricoh P mount on an Pentax AF camera.

Steve

(Almost got an PK/R Adaptall-2 stuck on my K10D...fortunately the "pin" jammed against rather than into the AF drive...dumb luck...)

Stefan Carey · 04-26-2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks for such a detailed and useful reply.

Perhaps we need a list of the exact lenses which are going to cause a problem. Perhaps a such a list exists?

nanobaud · 04-27-2009, 03:33 PM

I bought mine new in 1984.

It had the "ball" type pin (actually a rounded pin, not a ball), but I removed it anyway as I don't think I will use the (Ricoh) film body again, and I can always replace the pin if I change my mind.

It is a good, solid lens in its range and I still use it frequently and I have got some unexpectedly good "macro" shots out of it. CA can be pretty pronounced in high-contrast shots.

I've always thought the Rikenon lenses get less mention than they deserve, but I assume it's a combination of not that many sold and fear of the pin.

Stefan Carey · 04-27-2009, 04:08 PM

Ah, many thanks, it sounds like you have helped to solve the mystery!

Thanks for the post.

Stefan

04-25-2009, 03:54 AM	#1
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190	When was Ricoh Rikenon 70-210 macro-zoom made? I was given this lens for nothing, and with a few extension tubes mounted on the Pentax K-m, it produces good results. (Could have been a little sharper but I was propping it up on a tin of olive oil.) Rikenon P Zoom 1:3.9 70~210mm Macro Does anyone know anything about this lens, the internet is strangely silent on this one, perhaps it is simply unremarkable. Thanks! (must go to bed: getting late here) PS I have just started an account at Zenfolio: this is the most user-friendly photo site I have seen yet. Part of my job is to critique and design simple interfaces - and it passes muster. Last edited by Stefan Carey; 04-25-2009 at 04:21 AM.

04-25-2009, 04:26 PM	#3
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190 Original Poster	Thanks for your interesting post Fascinating and thanks. Will do some more research to see if I can find out more. cheers

04-26-2009, 03:14 AM	#5
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190 Original Poster	Thank you : photos attached Hi there Ovim; Please let me know if you need more. Thanks for your interest. Looks like I have some dusting to do Lens has a small hood that extends out. Last edited by Stefan Carey; 04-26-2009 at 03:20 AM.

04-27-2009, 03:33 PM	#11
nanobaud New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 10	Rikenon PK 70-210 / 3.9 I bought mine new in 1984. It had the "ball" type pin (actually a rounded pin, not a ball), but I removed it anyway as I don't think I will use the (Ricoh) film body again, and I can always replace the pin if I change my mind. It is a good, solid lens in its range and I still use it frequently and I have got some unexpectedly good "macro" shots out of it. CA can be pretty pronounced in high-contrast shots. I've always thought the Rikenon lenses get less mention than they deserve, but I assume it's a combination of not that many sold and fear of the pin.

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04-25-2009, 07:07 AM	#2
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	There's such an uncanny resemblance between the Ricoh 70-210/3.9 and the SMC Pentax-A 70-210/4 down to the font that I'm willing to bet they are one in the same optically. (minus the SMC coats). When the Pentax "A" system came out, Pentax either forced Ricoh to design their own auto aperture system or Ricoh chose to do it and made the "P" or Program variant of cameras and lenses. Nevertheless you have yourself a solid lens there. DNA from one of Pentax's legacy zoom greats!

04-25-2009, 09:28 PM	#4
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Could you post a picture of the lens?

04-26-2009, 09:11 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Out of curiosity, how did you solve the "Ricoh Pin" issue? I thought it good to mention the hazard (permanent attachment to Pentax AF cameras) for the benefit of any noobs reading this thread. Steve BTW...Your lens probably dates from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s...

04-26-2009, 05:07 PM	#7
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Out of curiosity, how did you solve the "Ricoh Pin" issue? I thought it good to mention the hazard (permanent attachment to Pentax AF cameras) for the benefit of any noobs reading this thread. Steve BTW...Your lens probably dates from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s... Good suggestion Steve The previous owner must have solved this perhaps. I was really worried about offending the guy because I learnt about the pin after he offered the lens. I had seen photos of a Pentax DSLR somewhere with a hacksaw being used to get the lens off. Scary stuff

04-26-2009, 05:42 PM	#8
clm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 220	"Ricoh-pin" is a non-issue with genuine Ricoh lenses and quality third party lenses I have used.

04-26-2009, 06:21 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by clm "Ricoh-pin" is a non-issue with genuine Ricoh lenses and quality third party lenses I have used. I would like to qualify this last comment a bit. The "pin" implementation varies somewhat between lenses and manufacturers. On some it is a real, honest-to-goodness spring-loaded pin that protrudes a significant distance when extended and which will jam itself into the AF drive slot when an attempt is made to mount. On others, it is a small, spring-loaded ball that has less of a tendency to jam. I can't comment about all Rikenon-P lenses, but the ones I have personally handled have had the pin-type fitting. In any case, I would suggest extreme caution and care if anyone wants to mount a Ricoh P mount on an Pentax AF camera. Steve (Almost got an PK/R Adaptall-2 stuck on my K10D...fortunately the "pin" jammed against rather than into the AF drive...dumb luck...)

04-26-2009, 08:49 PM	#10
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190 Original Poster	Thanks for such a detailed and useful reply. Perhaps we need a list of the exact lenses which are going to cause a problem. Perhaps a such a list exists?

04-27-2009, 04:08 PM	#12
Stefan Carey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 190 Original Poster	Ah, many thanks, it sounds like you have helped to solve the mystery! Thanks for the post. Stefan